Perceptual Knowledge
A) Direct (Naïve) Realism= common sense view- the objects of perception are external material things which have independent existence from our minds
1)Problems
i. unjustified no way to get outside of our perception to test accuracy
ii. we seem to see stars as they are but we are seeing them many years into the past , they may not exist anymore,
iii. “Solid” objects are mostly empty space, Russell states Naïve realism à Science à reject Realism
iv. do colors really exist?
B) Representationalism=(Locke) The objects of perception are sense data (mental images which represent the real world to our mind)
1) Things (substance) exist or not
i. Has, possesses qualities (ex. Shoes)
2) Qualities= way in which it exists (ex. Brown, made of leather, size 11)
i. Primary qualities= real properties in the thing it self (ex. Size, shape, solidity, temp, chemical composition)
ii. Secondary qualities= power of an object to affect us through their primary qualities, not the object it self
3) Locke, qualities cannot exist by themselves there must be some substances to them which creates them and holds them together
i. Substance is “something I know not what” which supports quality